Five questions entering Texans-Ravens matchup

1. Can the Texans continue to fall behind and pull out a third consecutive victory on the last play?

Sure they can, but it’s not likely if they want to improve their September record since 2010 to a league-best 11-2. Eventually, their luck will run out. They need a game in which they play well from the start and don’t let up, like their 43-13 victory over Baltimore last season. Don’t expect that kind of performance at M&T Bank Stadium, where the Texans haven’t won. It’s a tough place to play, and the Ravens are putting Ray Lewis into their Ring of Honor, so emotions will be high and the fans will be pumped. The Texans have the talent to win this game and just about any game, but they’ve got to be more consistent.

2. Now that Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown (turf toe) is out, how will it impact the offense, particularly the pass protection?

Brown is one of the premier players at his position. He protects Matt Schaub’s blind side, and he’s a stellar run blocker. Ryan Harris (6-5, 302) is a six-year veteran in his second season with the Texans. He’s the swing tackle who backs up both positions. He started 35 games in five years with Denver and two last season with the Texans. Obviously, he’s not as good as Brown, but at least he has experience against the top pass rushers. He’ll be blocking outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has two sacks. The Texans may use one of the backs to stay in and help Harris with Suggs. Expect Schaub to get rid of the ball quicker and to run more bootlegs to his right side.

3. Is the running game more important against the Ravens than other opponents?

The running game is always important to Gary Kubiak. Who can blame him for loving to run the ball? Since he became their coach in 2006, the Texans are 43-5 and averaging 153.5 yards a game when they run at least 30 times. The Texans have run 28 times in each of their first two games and average 146 yards and 5.2 a carry. Subtract Ben Tate’s 60-yard run against the Titans and they average 112 a game and 4.2 a carry. Tate (148 yards) and Arian Foster (136) must run effectively against the Ravens to offset the pass rush. The last thing the Texans want is for outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil to tee off on Matt Schaub.

4. How much longer can the defense rank last in red-zone touchdowns and the Texans expect to win?

Opponents are six-of-six in red-zone touchdowns, tying the Texans for last in the NFL. The defense has allowed six touchdown passes, five surrendered by the secondary. Quarterback Joe Flacco is a pocket passer who’s missing three of his best receivers from the team that defeated San Francisco in the Super Bowl. He had two touchdown passes dropped in last week’s victory over Cleveland. The Texans need to reduce the touchdown passes and force more turnovers, especially in Baltimore’s end of the field.

5. Will kicker Randy Bullock bounce back from his poor performance on field goals against Tennessee, or will he continue to struggle?

The coaches have a lot of confidence in Bullock. His kickoffs have been outstanding, and kickoff coverage was a weakness last season. He won the San Diego game with his 41-yard field goal. The worst thing the Texans can do to a young kicker is mess with his confidence. They must continue to support him unless he consistently struggles. That winner against the Chargers is his shortest try.